Abstract:

The structural and magnetic properties of layered perovskites of the type RBaCo(2)O(5+delta) with delta less than or equal to 0.5 (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Y) have been investigated. The samples were prepared by the sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, magnetization and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. It is found that the magnetic properties depend on the size of the rare-earth ion. The critical size of the rare-earth ion introduces structural distortion which affects the Co-O hybridization in these layered perovskites. The detailed analysis of experimental and calculated XANES spectra throws some light on spin states of Co ions in these perovskites.